Man must only visit fast food outlets or takeaways where he must pay in
advance in what is thought to be first criminal behaviour order of its kind

A court has ordered that a serial "dine-and-dash" culprit can only eat at fast food outlets or takeaways after magistrates ruled he cannot be trusted to pay a bill.

Neil Rogers must forgo restaurants for establishments where he must hand over money in advance in what is believed to be the first criminal behaviour order, the new form of Asbo, of its kind.

The two-year order order was imposed on top of a 24-week jail term, suspended for two years, for the 45-year-old - who was described in court as an "inveterate thief and fraudster with a horrendous record".

"I gather he does this to impress his friends and make out he is some sort of bon viveur"

Trevor Colebourne, defending

Magistrates in Blackpool, Lancashire, heard how Rogers enjoyed impressing his friends by inviting them out for dinner at leading eateries.

But prosecutor Jim Mowbray outlined how he would routinely leave without paying bills totalling hundreds of pounds.

At Ego, a Mediterranean restaurant in Lytham, Lancashire, Rogers ran up a £248 bill before handing over a credit card he knew would be declined.

And at Zen Asian fusion restaurant in St Annes, Lancashire, Rogers' bill was £187 before he left without paying.

At a nearby Italian restaurant called Margaritas, Rogers ate and drank his way through £122 worth of orders before prevaricating with staff, who then took his photograph and reported him to police.

Rogers pleaded guilty to nine offences and asked for thirteen others committed in Blackpool, Clitheroe and Blackburn to be taken into account. He also admitted running up taxi bills as a high as £84 and not paying the drivers.

Mr Mowbray added: "I am asking for a criminal behaviour order to kerb this man's serious and persistent offending. From now on he must pay for food in advance of eating it, which means no sitting down in restaurants and running up vast bills on food and wine knowing he has nothing with which to pay."

Trevor Colebourne, defending, said: "I gather he does this to impress his friends and make out he is some sort of bon viveur.

"When confronted about his lack of funds by restaurant staff, he does give his real name and address which shows some honesty - you don't normally rob a bank and leave such details behind."

Sentencing Rogers, who now has more than 100 convictions, magistrates chairman Brian Horrocks told him: "Basically this criminal behaviour means you pay up front before you eat, like you do with fish and chips."